HAPPY HANDYMAN: Leak Alert detects leaks under toilets, sinks

Johnnie Chuoke

Published 5:00 am, Tuesday, December 3, 2013

I know I had talked about Leak Alert before, but evidently not enough. Yesterday I had a customer call me from Houston and she asked me if there was any product that would let her know if she had a leak under a toilet or a sink? Yes! It’s called the Leak Alert.

Let me tell you a little story about the Leak Alert. I had a customer come in to the store and show me the Leak Alert about a year before we carried it and I just kind of dismissed the idea of an alarm. I wish I had not. About six months later, one morning I woke up to a squishy carpet when I went to go get coffee. That is never a good start to the day. Upstairs I had a toilet that had a leak in the water connection and it flooded the whole upstairs all night long. It ruined the ceiling in the living room, and left a huge wet carpet there too. I immediately thought of the customer that tried to tell me about the Leak Alert.

After calling a plumber, I went to work and found the product that the customer had given me. I called the manufacturer and ordered plenty for the store. When they came in, I took four to the house. The four Leak Alerts only cost me $60, believe me when I tell you, the repairs to the house cost just alittle bit more! My mom used to say “A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

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Now to the email ...

Question: I have a old patio door and it still looks great, however we have messed up the track where the rollers go over. Is there any other way to fix the door other than replacing it?

Answer: No you don’t have to buy a new door. And you can fix it. There is a steel cap that can go over the track and give you a smooth rail that the rollers go over. It cost about $10, which is a lot cheaper than a new door. If you can’t find it, call or email me.

Question: I have a storage area with a Master lock on it. Now I need a another storage building so I was wondering if you can take the one lock have and match it to another Master padlock and just have one key?

Answer: Yes - just ask for the universal Master padlock. It comes ¾ and a 1½ shank size.

Question: Over the past few months my wife an I have noticed a increase of weevils in our pantry items like beans and rice. Seems like you mentioned something in a article once about that. What was the name?

Answer: It’s called Pantry Pest and it works well on just what you are talking about. They come two in a box and cost around $10.

Question: The caulk in my shower is very old and is cracked and leaking. How should I remove it and then what should I replace it with. It’s just the caulking around the bottom of the shower and tub.

Answer: Remove the caulk with a Homax Caulk Remover Kit and then replace the caulk with Mildew Free Sealant. This caulk is guaranteed not to mildew for seven years!

Question: We inherited a old Singer sewing machine with a metal treadle. The treadle is rusty and we would like to restore it. Also the wood laminate is peeling and dirty. I know we will have to replace the wood, but is there anything to clean it with first?

Answer: Use the Rust Cure on the metal to stop the rust. Just spray it on and in a hour wipe off the oily residue. In a few days it will have turned gun metal grey and will not rust again. To clean the wood surfaces use Fine Wood Cleaner.

Question: I have a porcelain tub that is very old and looks terrible. I have used everything to clean it with but it still looks dingy and feels rough when you run your hand over it. Is there anything you know of to clean this with? I have had quotes to replace it and wow, it took my breath away. Help!

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Answer: I have saved more tubs (porcelain) by cleaning off the hard water stains with Delete Germ. Just apply the Delete Germ to the tub using a green scrubby sponge. Clean a area on the tub, and then completely rinse. Then move to the next spot. I think you will be pleased.

If you cannot find the products mentioned in the email locally, You can find all products mentioned in our columns on our website (www.happyhandyman.com) and then click on Shop Johnnies Favorites, or you can give us a call at the store (210-341-1573) and we can take your order over the phone. Johnnie Chuoke may be reached at the e-mail of happyhandyman2@yahoo.com. Mail can be sent to: Johnnie Chuoke’s Home & Hardware, 2361 NW Military, San Antonio, TX 78231.